The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Philippines said Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) official Gabriel Go has no moral authority to lecture the public about obeying the law if he himself failed to follow the agency's own rules prohibiting personnel from vlogging official operations.

The group issued the statement on Thursday, July 16, after Go, head of the MMDA's Special Operations Group Task Force Road Clearing, drew public criticism for his handling of a traffic apprehension involving a public school teacher.

ACT welcomed the agency's decision to investigate the incident, saying while the teacher acknowledged committing a traffic violation, authorities should not humiliate ordinary citizens in the course of enforcing the law.

“Hindi namin kukunsintihin ang kamalian ng aming kabaro pero hindi rin namin hahayaan ang sinumang awtoridad na hiyain sa publiko ang karaniwang mamamayan (We do not tolerate the mistakes of our fellow teachers, but neither will we allow any authority to publicly humiliate ordinary citizens),” ACT chairperson Ruby Bernardo said in a statement on Thursday, July 16.

“Malinaw sa video na nakiusap na ang guro na huwag na itong isapubliko ngunit ang layunin ata ni Go ay umani ng atensyon at mag astang hari harian sa kalsada. Wala siyang kredibilidad kung siya mismo ay lumalabag sa direktiba ng mismong ahensya niya na nagbabawal sa kanilang i-vlog ang anumang operasyon (It is clear in the video that the teacher pleaded not to make the incident public, but it appears that Go's objective was to gain attention and act like a king on the road. He has no credibility if he himself violates his own agency's directive prohibiting personnel from vlogging operations),” she added.

Bernardo also said that it is unacceptable to shame people and seek publicity for personal interests.

She pointed out that Go cannot demand strict compliance with traffic laws while allegedly disregarding the MMDA's own policy banning employees from recording, livestreaming, vlogging, or posting operational activities on their personal social media accounts during work hours.

“Kung seryoso siyang naniniwala na walang sinuman ang dapat lumabag sa batas at mga patakaran, dapat rin siyang maging huwaran sa pagsunod sa mga ito. Hindi maaaring mahigpit sa mamamayan ngunit maluwag sa sarili (If he truly believes that no one should violate the law and established rules, then he should also set an example by following them. He cannot be strict with the public while being lenient with himself),” she said.

ACT said that the MMDA adopted the policy after previous incidents in which enforcement operations were turned into online content, exposing both the agency and its personnel to criticism as well as possible legal and administrative complaints.

Under the policy, the group said, only the MMDA's Public Information Office is authorized to officially document and release operational activities.

“The purpose of traffic law enforcement is to ensure public safety and compliance with the law, not to publicly shame violators or generate online engagement. Authorities are expected to exercise restraint, professionalism, and respect for the rights of every citizen, regardless of the violation committed,” Bernardo said.

ACT urged the MMDA to conduct a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the incident, including possible violations of administrative rules, data privacy regulations, and other applicable laws and policies.

It also called on the agency to ensure that both traffic laws and internal regulations are enforced consistently against all violators regardless of rank, influence, or political connections.